The Southside Chattanooga area is immediately adjacent to downtown Chattanooga and was prone to flooding during the early 1900’s and prior to the development of damming and flood control measures by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Several of the homes along Read and Mitchell Avenues appear to have been built on 4-5 feet of clay fill.

In addition, the Battle Academy Elementary School which neighbors the site was sampled in mid June 2012. A 20’ by 20’ grid was laid over the school property and 140 grids were screened using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). No significant lead contamination was found and all lead levels were below 55 ppm.

On Feb 18th, the ERRS crew continued backfilling efforts at 1625 Read Avenue and placed a rock walkway at 1623 Read.  The crew also placed sod at 1625 Read, 1623 Read, 1609, 1611 Read, 1607 Read, 1605 Read/110 E. Main and 1514 Mitchell. ERRS placed stone pavers at 1623 Read (previously purchased by owner) which will be cemented at a later date.  The crew pressure washed sidewalks and driveways, and installed the old fence posts at 1623 Read.

Heavy rains the evening of Feb 18th cancelled operations on Feb 19th.  On Feb 20, ERRS began excavation at the remaining small side yard of 1625 Read (along 17^th Street).  The area was also backfilled on the same day.  The crew pressure washed the driveway that was used as access during removal/backfilling efforts.  The crew completed installation of the old fence at 1623 Read and repaired a small bricked area near the alleyway. 

On Feb 21st, ERRS began removal efforts at the front yard of 1619 and 1617 Read Avenue.  Once the contaminated soil was removed from the two front yards, ERRS backfilled these areas with top soil, compacted the soil and placed straw. Plants relocated during the removal were re-planted.  The crew also swept sidewalks and the road before leaving the site.  START collected a confirmation soil sample from each front yard.  Rain on Feb 22nd cancelled operations.

February 25th thru March 2nd, 2013

 On Feb 25th, the ERRS crew continued to remove contaminated soil from between 1619 and 1617 Read Avenue.  During removal efforts, some of the hexagonal sidewalk pavers shifted and “popped” out of place. START communicated with the owner to inquire about what she wanted the crew to do with the pavers. The owner stated that she preferred a rock path and that she wished to save the remaining pavers. ERRS also removed contaminated soil from the back yard of 1617 Read Avenue.  The areas were backfilled with top soil the same day, compacted and a layer of straw was placed.

On the morning of Feb 26th, there was rainfall at the site.  The crew swept water away from soil piles at the Staging Area.  In addition, several pallets of sod were delivered.  START communicated with the residents at 1617 Read Avenue.  There was a vehicle obstructing entrance into the back yard of 1619 Read and after several attempts to ask the interim owner to move the vehicle, the car was still not moved.  During the evening of Feb 26th, the interim owner of the vehicle called START and provided information for his mother in an effort to obtain a secondary key to the vehicle. START will communicate and/or visit the mother in an effort to get the vehicle moved tomorrow.

There was heavy rainfall very early on the morning on Feb 27th which limited operations to sweeping water from the staging areas and checking staging pile tarps.  

On Feb 28th, the ERRS crew placed sod at 1625, 1619, and 1617 Read.  On this day, the property owner of 1619 Read had the illegally parked vehicle on her property towed from her back yard which facilitated removal efforts to begin at the back yard of 1619 Read.  ERRS crews removed contaminated soil from this area and backfilled with top soil on the same day.  The area was compacted and sod was also placed.  

On March 1st, the ERRS crew removed the last bit of contaminated material from the back yard of 1617 Read. This area was backfilled with top soil and a layer of straw was placed.  The crew also began removal efforts at 1624 Read Avenue.  The crew had to remove the large shrubs in this area to remove contaminated material at the foundation of the structure.  This small area was also backfilled the same day.

On March 2nd, the crew continued removal efforts at 1624 Read Avenue.  The impacted area was excavated by mid-day and the crew backfilled the area with top soil and placed a layer of straw.  Replacement plants will be purchased next week.

START contractors continue to assist with technical support, daily operations, post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (Xrf) and air sampling during excavation and staging of contaminated soils.

The OSC continues to coordinate clean up efforts and assessments with Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) and Tenn Dept of Health as well as Hamilton County health officials. TDEC and the OSC plan to update Chattanooga City Council during February 2013. A specific date has not been set by City Council.

The OSC, Tenn Dept of Health and Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) are currently preparing an assessment strategy for Chattanooga City Council addressing future lead assessments in the downtown area.

The OSC, Tenn Dept of Health and Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) are currently preparing an assessment strategy for Chattanooga City Council addressing future lead assessments in the downtown area.